Bluestein R H & Co. acquired a new position in shares of Air Products & Chemicals (NYSE:APD) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 180,974 shares of the basic materials company’s stock, valued at approximately $28,780,000. Air Products & Chemicals makes up approximately 1.6% of Bluestein R H & Co.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Bluestein R H & Co. owned about 0.08% of Air Products & Chemicals as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Virtue Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Air Products & Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $100,000. Cerebellum GP LLC bought a new stake in Air Products & Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $129,000. Prentiss Smith & Co. Inc. bought a new stake in Air Products & Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $139,000. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new stake in Air Products & Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $195,000. Finally, Charter Research & Investment Group Inc. bought a new stake in Air Products & Chemicals during the 4th quarter worth approximately $200,000. 87.11% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Air Products & Chemicals stock opened at $166.99 on Thursday. Air Products & Chemicals has a 12 month low of $140.78 and a 12 month high of $175.17. The company has a current ratio of 3.08, a quick ratio of 2.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The company has a market capitalization of $37.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.46, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.22.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 13th. Investors of record on Monday, July 2nd will be paid a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 29th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.63%. Air Products & Chemicals’s payout ratio is 69.73%.

Several research firms have recently issued reports on APD. Seaport Global Securities reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $185.00 target price on shares of Air Products & Chemicals in a report on Monday, January 29th. Jefferies Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $195.00 target price on shares of Air Products & Chemicals in a report on Monday, January 29th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on Air Products & Chemicals in a report on Tuesday, March 27th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $195.00 target price for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered Air Products & Chemicals from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $170.00 target price for the company. in a report on Monday, January 29th. Finally, Citigroup reduced their target price on Air Products & Chemicals from $210.00 to $185.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the company. The company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $179.41.

Air Products & Chemicals Company Profile

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, electronics and performance materials, equipment, and services worldwide. The company produces atmospheric gases, including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, and rare gases; process gases, such as hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, syngas, and specialty gases; and equipment for the production or processing of gases comprising air separation units and non-cryogenic generators for customers in various industries, including metals, glass, chemical processing, electronics, energy production and refining, food processing, metallurgical, medical, and general manufacturing.